Goa Gajah

Goa Gajah is an archaeological temple complex at Bedulu in the Ubud area of Gianyar. The name means Elephant Cave, although the main cave entrance is decorated with a carved face rather than an elephant figure.

What you find there

The site includes the cave, rock carvings, bathing pools, fountains, courtyards and stone fragments. Visitors can also see evidence of both Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions in the wider archaeological area, including meditation spaces and sculptural remains.

History

Public archaeological sources date the complex to around the ninth to eleventh centuries. Goa Gajah was rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in the twentieth century and is part of Bali’s important cultural heritage landscape.

Visiting

The complex is a living religious site as well as an archaeological attraction. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and follow local instructions near shrines and ceremonies. Goa Gajah is located on Jalan Raya Goa Gajah in Bedulu, Blahbatuh, Gianyar.